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Review
I sat in the lobby of the Pierre airport, waiting. Read the first page
Concordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
HEIGHTENED AWARENESS,
By
This review is from: Broken Cord (Paperback)
I first read this book in early 1990. Prior to reading this book, I did not know about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect (FAS/FAE). Mr. Dorris gives a good overview of this tragic condition and his references throughout this book certainly augment the points he makes. I like the lyrical tone Abel's (called "Adam" in the book) story takes when the author includes references to nature and natural phenomena. This book is also culturally enriching by providing glimpses of Native American traditions, e.g. Adam's naming ceremony and the gatherings the Dorris family takes later in the book. Two things saddened me deeply about this book in addition to Adam's congenital condition. The author was involved in a very unfortunate controversy and committed suicide a few years ago. Adam was run over by a car and killed. It made for a very tragic postcript to the lives of the Dorris family and to all those who cared about them personally.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The story of a father and son,
By
This review is from: Broken Cord (Paperback)
It would be a shame if the circumstances surrounding the author's death cast a shadow over this fine book, because it is beautifully written, deeply felt, and a devastating account of the impact of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) among Native Americans.Michael Dorris, a young unmarried college teacher and writer, adopts a Native American boy "Adam" whose developmental problems, he believes, are the result of poor nutrition, poor health care, and lack of proper parenting. In time, however, he discovers that Adam was born with FAS, a condition Dorris knows very little about. Believing that proper care can reverse the effects of FAS, he takes on the daunting and nearly futile task of helping Adam achieve a "normal" boyhood. The damage done, it turns out, is irreversible; Adam is almost maddeningly unable to learn simple tasks and responsibilities. FAS-related health problems, including seizures, often turn merely difficult days and nights into nightmares for the single father. The book Dorris writes is meant as an eye-opener for readers who are unaware of the potential harm in consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Given naturally to research and study, he shares with the reader much of what he learns about FAS and the Native American culture that has had such a fatal connection with alcohol. To that extent, this is almost a textbook on the subject. But this is also the story of a father and son, and most poignant, for this reader, is the relationship between them that is a thread throughout the book. Dorris never surrenders to the barriers that exist between him and his son. Having taken responsibility for Adam, he gives his all to making even the smallest difference in the boy's life. It's a heroic effort and often heartbreaking.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A story that breaks your heart,
This review is from: Broken Cord (Paperback)
I am part of a foster family and a future teacher, and thought that this book would help me understand children who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol. Although I have worked with many children who have been diagnosed with FASD, this book brought to light many things that I had not previously noticed. As well as stating the emotional turmoil that is involved in caring for these special children, helping me see the caregivers point of view. I had previously felt that the frustration, as well as the overwhelming joy, that came with teaching children with FASD was a personal failure (at least the feelings of frustration). It really helped to feel that I wasn't the only one who felt this way, and that there are ways to help both caregiver and child with these issues.I highly recommend this book to anyone who will be working at all with children with FASD. It gives you an idea of what can go wrong and how to deal with it. Mostly though, it relieves the sense of isolation and frustration that you will eventually feel, and help you see the bright side. Even if you will never come into contact with anyone with FASD, this book is an incredably inspiring read. It isn't a light read, and at times it's fairly depressing, but it's worth it.
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